The Bread Collection, a beloved Birmingham bakery that vacated its spot in Great Western Arcade at the start of the year, is set to return to the city centre with a new location in Piccadilly Arcade.
Background and Departure from Great Western Arcade
Since 2012, The Bread Collection had occupied a small nook on the Colmore Row side of the Victorian arcade, serving fresh bread and pastries in the heart of the business district. At the turn of the new year, the brand left the building after construction began transforming the space above it. The bakery told customers it was looking for a new location in the city centre, continuing to bake its wares at its original site in Knowle.
New Location in Piccadilly Arcade
Now, signage has gone up in Piccadilly Arcade, just opposite Birmingham New Street station, announcing its return. Construction is currently underway to transform an empty unit into a branch of The Bread Collection. Workers are on site, but an opening date has yet to be revealed.
The bakery made headlines when it opened in 2012, as owner Gilles Zidane, a French baker, is the cousin of French football legend Zinadine Zidane. When the bakery reopens, it will join existing businesses in Piccadilly Arcade, including Faculty Coffee, Resiliency Tattoo Studio, Shepherds barbers, the Piccadilly Cobbler, the Onyx Workshop jewellery store, Clay's interactive digital clay pigeon shooting bar, Be At One, Top Tailor, Brow Box, Boba One, and Piccadilly Opticians.
Ongoing Developments in Nearby Arcades
Meanwhile, at Great Western Arcade, workers are on site overhauling the space above the historic arcade. At the rear of the shopping mall, the North Western Arcade faces an uncertain future as plans are in to demolish it along with House of Fraser to make way for a new city centre development. Additionally, a public consultation began this week in the city centre regarding the demolition of Martineau Place and several other buildings at the top end of the High Street.
